I leave in 4 days. I have so many different emotions going
into this “ending”. I found out some exciting things about work, which makes
the return a little easier. I also love my job and can’t wait to return to
loving on MORE precious kids. However, saying goodbye to the children here will
be difficult. I know I am one of many aunties that come to visit and they are
used to people coming in and out, but I really have learned so much and loved
so much that it’s hard to imagine going back to a life where I wake up in
silence and am not greeted by drooly hugs and kisses. I cannot wait to return
to my family and friends and share more stories of my time here. I am going to
miss the close relationships I formed here with other volunteers, but know that
I will be in contact with them forever! I’m also leaving with the knowledge
that I’ll be back. Although I don’t know when, exactly, I know that my heart
will bring me back to this place.
My time in Uganda has been such a learning experience in
many ways I didn’t think possible. I got the opportunity to meet Kelsey Nielsen
and Megan Parker who are starting Abide Family Center. They even signed a
contract for their house today! I am so blown away by this ministry and am so
excited to see how the Lord works through them. When people think about
orphanages, especially in Africa, they automatically think the children are
abandoned and have no family to go to. Or that if they are in an orphanage
their parents don’t love them. Most “orphans” still have family, either a
parent or extended family member, living that have the ability to take care of
them. Some parents just cannot take care of their child at the moment and need
someone to step in and give them aide they need. Taken from a blog done by
Kelsey, “Abide Family Center will provide holistic, strengths based, social
services to vulnerable families. The
center will serve as a transitional living and learning facility by providing
caregivers the tools necessary to move toward independence. Families will be referred to the center by
local government officials who have determined the family's need for supportive
services rather than the removal of the child from the home. A team of social workers will work with
families to create individualized care plans. Depending on a number of factors,
the family will receive either out-of-home supportive services or in-home
supportive services. Some of the
services provided directly by the center will include: vocational classes and
apprenticeships, parenting discussion groups, money management classes,
nutrition planning, and child care services.” This was such an amazing thing to
learn about and it really brought some humbleness into my life. As Americans,
we automatically assume we could give children in “less-developed countries” a
better life because we have more materialistic things. While it is true that
international adoption can be such a beautiful thing, many families here are SO
vulnerable and can be taken advantage of and they are deprived of the chance to
raise their children. I really recommend learning about Abide and what they are
going to do. I also ask for prayers for Kelsey and Megan. They are going back
to the states in August to finish school and prepare to open the doors of this
ministry.
It has been beautiful seeing every ministry work together
and how they are so supportive of each other. Life seems so simple here without
distractions of celebrity gossip and other things we can get caught up in in
the states. That will probably be a difficult transition when I get home! It
has been a great lesson in being content and remembering to rest!
The Lord has also been working in my heart for another
thing, which I mentioned in a previous post. My desire is to not get caught up
in an emotional state since I’m here and pray when I return home. However, I’ve
never felt so at peace about a desire that is so crazy to some outsiders! I’ve
been encouraged by others here and it's overwhelming, which makes me so excited to go home to continue this process of praying and listening to His calling.
Ekisa has been such a blessing and wonderful experience. I’m
so thankful for this ministry and what it is teaching people in Jinja and other
places in Uganda about people with disabilities. I’m also thankful for what
they have taught to incoming teams who have never interacted with children with
disabilities. I’m also so thankful my passion has return. Towards the end of
the school year I was so swamped in paperwork and getting things done, I forgot
why I was with my students. Seeing the small gains these children have made in
my short time here has reminded me I’m exactly where I need to be. God has humbled me so much and taught me so many things.
The song "Break Every Chain" has been playing in my mind---chains have been broken here in so many ways. Chains of pain and heartache have broken and there is love surrounding these people. All in the precious name of Jesus! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6ncg2pLYks
